Saturday, January 18, 2014

MTEC Smart Zone, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Rep. Dianda respond to Gov. Snyder's State of the State address

HOUGHTON -- New developments at MTEC SmartZone were among key issues Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder discussed in his fourth State of the State address in Lansing Thursday evening, Jan. 16. However, Snyder's speech did not make up for his failed environmental and social policies, according to some Michigan leaders.

Snyder talked about MTEC SmartZone’s collaboration with Michigan Technological University, entrepreneurs and local governments to foster economic success in the Upper Peninsula. That collaboration has continued to thrive for more than a decade, leading to new developments and opportunities for job creation across the Upper Peninsula.

"We have a situation where they are partnering with Northern Michigan University and Marquette. So we are bringing communities together and bringing synergy and power. So I want to complement those particular communities and those universities in the U.P. for their outstanding work," Gov. Snyder said in his address Thursday.

Since 2003, MTEC SmartZone has proven great success for the cities of Houghton and Hancock, creating more than 400 high-tech jobs and assisting over 47 entrepreneur technology start-ups by providing entrepreneurs with training and resource programs. Now, MTEC SmartZone is reaching out to the Marquette area to create the same successes for that economy. Both Marquette and Houghton-Hancock officials are looking to expand high-tech job creation with the development of a satellite business incubator in Marquette.

State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) said, "This collaboration brings so many positive opportunities to the Upper Peninsula. MTEC SmartZone has garnered statewide respect for their high-tech job creation and economic development. I’ve visited many SmartZones and we’ve got the best."

The mission of MTEC SmartZone is accelerating high-tech business growth to build a prosperous regional economy.*

MTEC SmartZone board member Dan Webber said, "It has become time for a more regional approach to leveraging the talents along the 'Technology Shore' between Houghton-Hancock and Marquette, supporting economic sustainability for the entire Upper Peninsula. Given the always-limited resources, we must work together to advance the best technologies that promote employment opportunities for our existing communities and the State of Michigan as a whole."

Sierra Club Michigan: Gov. Snyder needs to plan for clean energy

While the Governor praised the Smart Zone, he has not done enough for renewable energy in Michigan according a Sierra Club Michigan Chapter spokesperson.

"Last night, in his State of the State address, Governor Snyder spoke briefly about a framework for Michigan's energy policy," writes Mike Berkowitz, legislative and political director of the Sierra Club's Michigan Chapter. "Again, he failed to lay out a timeline to move us forward and lacked specific policy proposals for Michigan's energy policy. With the clock ticking, it's time for Governor Snyder to put forward a concrete proposal to update Michigan's renewable energy and energy efficiency standards."

In an email asking supporters to write to the Governor about stronger clean energy policies, Berkowitz noted, "Expanding renewable energy in Michigan is an opportunity to create jobs, spark investment in the state, rein in the increasingly high cost of electricity, improve public health, and reduce air and water pollution from burning dirty fossil fuels for power. Energy efficiency is the cleanest and cheapest way to meet our energy needs. By saving energy, we're cutting demand for dirty energy sources like coal, leading to cleaner air, while creating local jobs right here in Michigan."

Just before the Governor's State of the State speech, the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter released its first-ever gubernatorial Scorecard, which evaluates Rick Snyder’s performance on energy, environment, good government and related issues. Michigan’s chief executive got a failing grade, scoring 25 percent on the most important environmental actions taken during his first three years in office.**

State Rep. Dianda responds to State of the State Address

While State Rep. Scott Dianda agreed with the Governor's praise of the Smart Zone, he also noted the speech only promised more of the same failed policies that have yet to create jobs for Michigan families or deliver the best possible education to our students.

"During my time in the Legislature, I‘ve seen people struggle under Republican policies," Dianda said. "We need more funding for our classrooms, we need job opportunities that will build the middle class, and we need to be taking care of our seniors. The retirement tax took money out of seniors’ pockets and sent it to Lansing, and now they have less to spend at our fish fries and small businesses. That’s why I introduced a bill this week to repeal the new tax on retirement."***

Families face smaller tax refunds, or no refunds at all, because of the loss of tax credits and deductions including the child tax deduction and a severely reduced Earned Income Tax Credit, Dianda noted.

Women face greater economic struggles thanks to Republican approval of a new law making basic health care more costly.

Republicans continue to push gimmicks to address education including cyber schools and other entities that lack accountability and have yet to show any improvements.

"My fellow Democratic House colleagues and I have plans to bring relief to the Michiganders who need it," said Dianda. "I’ve listened to residents from my district, and I know what the U.P. needs to recover. We need to increase education funding and bring tax relief to the hard-working families who deserve it. Any budget surplus we have to work with should go toward these efforts."

Keweenaw Climate Community to host Skeptical Science expert Dec. 12

The Keweenaw Climate Community will host John Cook, climate communication expert of skepticalscience.com for a free workshop, "Responding to Climate Misinformation in the Age of Fake News," from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Orpheum Theater/Studio Pizza, 426 Quincy St., Hancock. Free pizza and drinks! Everyone Welcome! Sponsored by Michigan Tech's Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute. For details click on poster above or contact Sarah Green, sgreen@mtu.edu.

"Boats, Books, and other B-words," author talk and book signing with Cyndi Perkins Dec. 13

Book cover courtesy Cyndi Perkins and Beating Windward Press.

Award-winning journalist and Michigan Tech writer-editor Cyndi Perkins shares her debut novel, the boating adventures that inspired it, and pathways to publishing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Calumet Public Library. More Than You Think You Know, released by Beating Windward Press in July 2017, is a story about ships and friendships that follows three renegade women piloting a 44-foot steel yacht down the Heartland rivers between Chicago and Mobile Bay. The change-of-scenery-change-of-life road trip novel is inspired by her 6,000-mile navigations (twice!) of America’s Great Loop. Perkins views her novel as a springboard to inspire others with the dream to write a book and take it to market. The talk will be followed by a book signing, with copies of the book available for sale at the library; proceeds of the sale will benefit projects of the Friends of the Calumet Public Library, who sponsor this event. For more information, visit the library or call 337-0311 ext. 1107. In case of bad weather, when school is cancelled, all library programs are cancelled. Click on book cover above for more info about Cyndi and her new book.

Finlandia Gallery hosts Finnish American Artist Kristin Pavelka

Ceramic artist Kristin Pavelka is pictured here with some of her work. Opening reception at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Dec. 7.

Finlandia University Gallery will present the 27th Annual Contemporary Finnish American Artist Series Exhibition featuring the work of ceramic artist Kristin Pavelka. Her exhibit, titled Kahvipaussi will be on display at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from Dec. 7, 2017, to Jan. 13, 2018. An opening reception for the public will take place at the gallery from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Thursday, Dec. 7, with an artist talk beginning at 7:20 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Using multiples of the same form, Pavelka plays with botanical themed surface design to pay homage to her Finnish ancestry. Making utilitarian wares that bring beauty into everyday routines is the stepping off point for her work. "The making of a pot becomes a celebration of it as an object, as it transcends beyond the everyday kitchen dish and becomes something with more meaning and warmth," says Pavelka. Click here or on photo above to read more.

+News Briefs / Announcements

The Portage Lake District Library invites everyone to join instrument maker Alice Margerum and musicians Matthew Durocher and Clare Zuraw to learn about the traditional Finnish instrument called the jouhikko from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12. After a brief discussion about the history, construction, and uses of the instrument, the group will demonstrate how the instrument is played, and they will perform traditional Finnish tunes. The presentation features instruments built in Finland as well as in the Copper Country. Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570.......The Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, announces evening and Saturday hours of operation. From Thursday, Nov. 16, through the month of April 2018 the gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday evenings until 7 p.m., and on Saturday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. The Finlandia University Gallery is located in the Finnish American Heritage Center at 435 Quincy St., Hancock. For additional information, click here or call 906-487-7500.......The Superior AmeriCorps Book Club for Kids will continue throughout the school year from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Portage Lake District Library. Kids ages 3 through 9 are invited for stories, cookie decorating, crafts, games, and more. Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570.......Portage Lake District Library Storytimes are at 10:15 a.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. The Library also invites children and their families to participate in Storytimes from 11 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturday of each month throughout the school year. These programs are presented by members of the Houghton High School Key Club. Storytime includes listening to stories and making a craft. Everyone is welcome and all programs are free. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570.......Portage Library and Michigan Tech are again offering free Computer Help for Beginners. Building Adult Skills in Computers (BASIC) will be presented by Michigan Tech Computer Science students from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Portage Library beginning Saturday, Sept. 9, every Saturday through Dec. 16, except during MTU breaks and holidays. Students will show participants how to use the internet to keep in touch with people, share pictures and letters, find information, solve computer problems, and much more. Tutors will help each participant with his or her own particular needs. People may attend as many of the sessions as they wish, and those who have laptops may bring them. Computer help sessions will continue to be offered during the spring semester in 2017. Details for the dates will be announced at a later date. Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit the library at www.pldl.org and on Facebook. ......HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team)has posted videos on renewable energy in the Upper Peninsula. Check out their Energy Forum here.......Do you participate in a book group? The Portage Lake District Library is creating a list of local book groups for all ages and would like to hear about yours. Useful information includes the name of your group and contact person, a theme if you have one, and dates and time that you meet. Please also say if your book group is for adults, teens, or grade school students. For more information, please call Chris at the library at 482-4570.

DEQ, DNR POSTPONE Dec. 5 meeting on stamp sand task force

UPDATED: The Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) have announced a POSTPONEMENT of the EPA task force public meeting on saving Buffalo Reef (from stamp sand) that was scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, since predicted snow and high winds for Tuesday would make travel difficult. "We will be rescheduling this meeting for early in the new year, but we have no date for that meeting available yet," said Steve Casey, Upper Peninsula district supervisor for the Michigan DEQ’s Water Resources Division. "Once a new date is set we will announce that information to help ensure we have great public attendance at this meeting to jump start the efforts to save Buffalo Reef." An invitation-only Wednesday, Dec. 6, meeting on Buffalo Reef for EPA task force members and scientists is also being postponed until a later date, which will be announced once confirmed. That Dec. 6 session was to be held at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech in Houghton. The important lake trout and whitefish spawning areas on Buffalo Reef are being threatened by shifting stamp sands, which have shifted south to the reef over the past century. The stamp sands were created as a by-product of copper mining at the Mohawk and Wolverine mines. See our Nov. 21 article for background on the Gay stamp sand/Buffalo Reef issue.

New Novel by Kristin Neva

"Copper Country" is the second novel in Kristin Neva's Copper Island Series. Click on book cover to go to the Amazon.com page for the book. (Book cover courtesy Kristin Neva)

Copper Country, by Keweenaw author Kristin Neva, is the second novel in her Copper Island Series, following Snow Country (see ad below). Two main characters, Aimee and Russ, appear in both novels. Neva continues to describe life in the Keweenaw, including the influence of Finnish names and culture. Click on book cover image above to learn more or purchase the book on Amazon.com.

"Snow Country" -- A Copper Island Novel

Set on the Keweenaw Peninsula, this inspirational novel features contemporary Finnish-American and Yooper culture while exploring themes of love, loss and faith.

New book by Nancy Langston

First Friday Walk in Calumet Dec. 1

Cardinal, by Linda Chamberlain, is part of the December exhibit at the Paige Wiard Gallery. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

First Friday, Dec. 1, in Calumet offers exhibits, a book reading, receptions and opportunities for holiday shopping in the Calumet Art District.

Paige Wiard Gallery:Glorious Gifting show. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list. The gallery will be displaying unique one-of-a-kind gifts, with a variety of price ranges.an opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.on Dec. 1 at 109 5th Street, Calumet. Questions: please call 337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com. Click on photo above for details on this and other exhibits on the Calumet Art District Facebook page.

Calumet Art Center: Start your holiday shopping at the Calumet Art Center, open from 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. on First Friday, Dec. 1. The art gallery and store feature a variety of artwork as well as artists. For the coming holiday season check out the fresh wreaths, artistic ornaments, decorative balsam-filled wool pillows, and an assortment of locally made cards. Among pottery and jewelry gallery pieces is an assortment of new mugs and sculptural pieces. Some of the center's offerings can be found online at the Bear Studio storefront. For info on upcoming classes click here.

Supernova Yoga, Gallery and Gifts: Supernova Yoga, Gallery and Gifts welcomes you to their December First Friday Author and Artist Reception from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. featuring literary art and new two-dimensional visual work. A Book Signing and Reading with Hancock-based fiction writer Stephanie Carpenter, whose new book, Missing Persons, won the 2017 Press 53 Award for Short Fiction. Stephanie will read from her work from 6:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Supernova will also showcase a collection of watercolors by Kate Langdon, a local visual artist. Her expressiveness pushes the range of the medium and blends zen-like sensibilities with local features with imagination. Music and refreshments.

Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak Street: Holiday Open House featuring works by some of our favorite local artists including spectacular metal prints and calendars by Jeremy Rowe, Night Sky Photography, prints and cards by Barb Flanagin, one-of-a kind nature inspired jewelry by Jackie Ellenich, Designs by Jak, ski, bike and nature themed jewelry by Nina Ollis, Annele Sakari and Annette Jones, and more! New this season are holiday scarfs and bow tie collars for your favorite 4 legged friends by Dawn Maise, UP dog!

Hahn Hammered Copper: Stop by Hahn Hammered Copper at 203 Fifth Street this First Friday in December for a glimpse of Holidays past and present. Check out one-of-a-kind found-object ornaments, vintage creche figures, Frankincense, antique church windows, fragrant votive candles, local hand-made soaps, deer antlers, their own hand-hammered copper ornaments, and more! Help guess this months Mystery Objects and win a hand-hammered copper zipper pull!

Copper Country Associated Artists: Mini Book Making Workshop with Susan Rosemurgy,author and illustrator -- 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Dec. 1. Explore different book binding techniques and themes. Everyone will have the tools and materials to make and take their own book nested in origami boxes to then give the gift of reading. OPEN HOUSE Celebration as well with extra homemade goodies, coffee and cider. Free and open to the public.

Café Rosetta, 104 5th St.: Café Rosetta will be open till 8 p.m. this First Friday. Art on the walls is by Kate Langdon, a talented watercolor artist. Her paintings are beautiful representations of nature at its best. Call 337-5500 for more information.

Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club

Skiers and hikers should be aware that Maasto Hiihto trails allow hunting during hunting season. Swedetown Trails also allow hunting. Be sure to wear bright orange if using the trails during this season.

Finlandia Gallery to host Beyond Horizons exhibit by Rita Jokiranta

Finlandia University Gallery, in the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, will present Beyond Horizons, the work of Finnish visual artist Rita Jokiranta, from Oct. 19 to Dec. 1, 2017. Working with video and photography, Rita Jokiranta explores the traces and landscapes of Finnish emigrants to America in the early 20th century and their relatives who stayed in Finland. This exhibition also celebrates the 100 years of Finnish independence. Click here to read more ...

Mining Action Group (formerly Save the Wild UP)

The Mining Action Group -- previously known as Save the Wild U.P. and now part of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) -- is a volunteer, grassroots effort to defend the clean water and wild places of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from the dangers of sulfide mining.

Friends of the Land of Keweenaw

Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts announces that Season Ticket Packages are now on sale for the 2017/18 Season. The four Season Ticket Package options this year offer savings of 18-37 percent off single ticket prices: A Full Season Ticket Package, a pass to all the arts at Michigan Tech! The popular "Pick 6" Season Ticket Package has returned and is an even better value this year. The "Pick 3" option and the popular new "Family Pack" option are also available. Season tickets are available for a limited time only. Single ticket sales begin Sept. 1, 2017. To obtain more information or to purchase tickets, contact Michigan Tech Ticketing Services at the Central Ticket Office (SDC), at 906-487-2073, or visit online at mtu.edu/rozsa.

Portage Lake District Library

Click on logo above for a link to the Portage Library's new Summer Newsletter and click on Events for the current calendar.

Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

Chauncey Moran, Yellow Dog RIVERKEEPER, recently conducted an aerial survey of the Salmon Trout and Yellow Dog River watersheds, scanning the landscape and waterways for mining activity and other land use issues. Both watersheds were surveyed via airplane and Moran reports that there are 7 total exploratory drilling operations that are currently active. All 7 of those are occurring directly east of Eagle Mine within a relatively short distance of the portal. This location has been called Eagle East and represents a plausible location for additional mineral deposits. No other active drilling elsewhere in the watersheds was noted during the flight. YDWP will continue to fly and conduct monitoring of this activity in order to inform concerned community members. Click on logo above for more news.

Midnight in the Pawn Shop

Deborah Frontiera, author of "Living on Sisu," has recently published this short novel for mature readers. Click on book cover above for more info. (Photo courtesy Deborah Frontiera)

Offer from Houghton Keweenaw County Genealogical Society

Book cover designed by Avis L. West of Houghton Keweenaw County Genealogical Society. Photograph courtesy Michigan Technological University Archives.

This publication by the Houghton Keweenaw County Genealogical Society (HKCGS) can be yours for free with a minimum $50 donation to the Italian Hall Memorial Fund. The book tells about the families of Italian Hall victims and includes historic photos. If you wish to donate and receive a copy of the book, please click on book cover above for the HKCGS order form, complete the form, print it and mail it to the address on the form. See story about the memorial and other ways to donate here.

Waste Management Garbage and Recycling new schedule for Hancockstarted on Sept. 12, 2016.- All items need to be out by 7 a.m.-Weekly same day pick up for garbage and recycling (using a new dual garbage truck)-Pick Up Day Change affects some neighborhoods:-East of Elevation Street will be on Monday.-West of Elevation Street will be on Wednesday.*Pick up for residents living on Elevation, S. Elevation and N. Elevation Streets will be on WEDNESDAY.-Any container will work for recycling. Some people are painting or taping (recycling) on the bins they now use or you can purchase a new recycling bin from McGann’s or Risto’s.-Single stream will continue for all items including glass and clean pizza boxes!-Service is also available to small commercial.-The City still has a recycling drop off at the DPW Garage (1601 Tomasi Drive)QUESTIONS: Call Bill Marlor, DPW, 482-1480 or Glenn Anderson, City Manager, 482-1121.Click here for Waste Management's new list of acceptable and unacceptable items for recycling.Thank you for your participation.

Copyright Policy

For our copyright policy, please click here or email us if you wish to use any of the photos or video clips by Keweenaw Now. Photos by guest photographers are copyrighted and you must seek their permission for re-use. This policy applies to the photos in our slide shows as well. Please do not share photos taken by guest photographers without their permission.

Slide Show: Christmas in Calumet 2016

Click on the photo above to see our slide show of Calumet on Dec. 3: the Poor Artists Sale, Santa, and art gallery exhibits. Click on any photo and follow the arrows. To read captions, click on the info icon.

Slide Shows: Family fun with science, more ...

Our recent slide shows highlight the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival (KSEF) and Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) community events held Aug. 4 - 6, 2016; the 2016 Keweenaw Science Fair winners honored by Carnegie Museum; and the Lake Superior Celebration at GLRC in April 2016.

The new slide shows can be accessed as follows: Click here or on the photo above for the slide show of the Aug. 5, 2016, Keweenaw Water Festival at Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). Click here for the Aug. 4 and Aug. 6 Keweenaw Science and Engineering (KSEF) family events held in Houghton's Kestner Waterfront Park, and click here for photos of some 2016 Science Fair winners and highlights of the April 26, 2016, Lake Superior Celebration sponsored by the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan STEM Partnership, the Copper Country Recycling Initiative and more. For each slide show, click on the first photo in the album and click the info icon in the top right corner for the caption. Then click on forward arrows to view the photos as a slide show.

Eagle Rock, 2010: Slide show

In May 2010, concerned Native and non-Native citizens camped, prayed and planted a garden at Eagle Rock, an Ojibwa sacred site, which was blasted for the portal to the Rio-Tinto-Kennecott Eagle Mine. The mine, now in operation, was sold to Lundin Mining Corporation of Toronto. Click on photo above to access a photo album on Eagle Rock protests in May 2010. Click on the first photo in the album and then on the info icon to view captions if they are not visible on the right. To view the photos as a slide show, click on the forward arrows.

Keweenaw Now is on TWITTER. Scroll down this column to see our latest Tweets.

Houghton County Democratic Party

Peaceful Uprising

Save the Water's Edge

A Rascal's Craft

The poetic musings of Eelu Kiviranta, a Finnish immigrant and self-proclaimed rascal. Side-by-side Finnish with English translation by Lillian Lehto. Introduction by Steve Lehto. Includes "The Copper Country Strike of 1913." Available from Amazon or the translator, 1419 Yosemite, Birmingham, MI 48009, $19.95. Click on cover to see Youtube video.

Distant Drum

Original clothing and wall pieces custom designed and sewn by Andrea Puzakulich in the Keweenaw for 25 years. Distant Drum is located in Hancock's Historic E.L.Wright Bldg. Open most weekday afternoons. Call ahead.

Calumet Art Center

Click above to learn about new classes starting in February 2017.

New edition of book by Steve Lehto

Click on book cover to access Steve's Facebook page on the Italian Hall disaster.

Red Circle Consulting

Mike Lahti at State Farm

Copper Country Community Arts Center

Keweenaw BEST!

Michigan League of Conservation Voters

What Is Sustainable

Author Richard Adrian Reese recounts how his life took a new direction after 9 years of simple living in the Keweenaw -- and offers a new worldview for a sustainable future.

Sustainable Keweenaw Resource Center

Welcome to Keweenaw Now!

Welcome to our Keweenaw Now blog. This site, the sequel to the Web site www.keweenawnow.com, officially began on September 1, 2007. The Blogger format allows you, our readers, to comment on any post. Read our articles here and send us your comments and suggestions! Your comment will come to us on email (without showing your email address) and as long as it's not objectionable we will post it on the article page. Please note: Right now the comments do not appear on the home page; but, if you click on the headline of an article, it will go to the article's own (archive) page, where comments do appear and where you can reply to them. Click on the comment link below the article to send us a comment. Sometimes the number of comments is indicated on that link on the home page. It may take some time for it to appear.

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Iraq death count

Weather

More stories in our Archives ...

If you missed one of our previous articles, you can find all of them archived through links in the right-hand column. Click on the week you missed, and the headlines of articles for that week will appear as links you can click on to read the story on its own page.